OSA treatment - how to choose the most suitable CPAP interface
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) strongly recommends positive airway pressure for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adult patients1. PAP device delivers air pressure into the patient's airway through a sleep mask to keep the airway open and reduce snoring and apnea incidences.
Difficult User Experience Increases CPAP Therapy Abandonment
Approximately 70% of OSA patients abandon their CPAP treatment during the first year due to mask-related discomfort2. Up to 20% of CPAP patients experience minor skin lesions across common CPAP interface brands3. High therapeutic pressure increases skin lesion development caused by tightly fitted masks to prevent air leaks4. The most common skin lesion sites are the lateral sides of the nose (32%), nasal bridge (23%), and lower nasal area (21%).3
Sleep Mask Options for OSA Patients
Difference types of CPAP masks: advantages/disadvantages5.
Finding comfort in WiZARD sleep masks
Wellell's WiZARD sleep masks feature an ergonomic and multi-directional pressure redistribution cushion and patented ventilation technology to optimize comfort, mask-to-face coverage, facial support, and noise disturbance elimination. There are wide range of sleep masks, such as full face masks, nasal masks, and nasal pillow masks, offering flexibility in customizing the user experience.
1. Patil, S. P., Ayappa, I. A., Caples, S. M., Kimoff, R. J., Patel, S. R., & Harrod, C. G. (2019). Treatment of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Positive Airway Pressure: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 15(2), 335–343. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.7640
2. Ulander, M., Johansson, M. S., Ewaldh, A. E., Svanborg, E., & Broström, A. (2014). Side effects to continuous positive airway pressure treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea: changes over time and association to adherence. Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 18(4), 799–807. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-014-0945-5
3. Bachour, A., Vitikainen, P., Virkkula, P., & Maasilta, P. (2013). CPAP interface:
satisfaction and side effects. Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 17(2), 667–672. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-012-0740-0
4. Brill, A. K., Pickersgill, R., Moghal, M., Morrell, M. J., & Simonds, A. K. (2018). Mask pressure effects on the nasal bridge during short-term noninvasive ventilation. ERJ open research, 4(2), 00168-2017. https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00168-2017
5. Dibra, M. N., Berry, R. B., & Wagner, M. H. (2020). Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Choosing the Best Interface. Sleep medicine clinics, 15(2), 219–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2020.02.008
